Setting traps for subt

Its still a bit early for subt to emerge from hibernation as terrrestius are only just nest searching and ruderatus are not yet! But were ready and waiting for them. We are searching sites around Twizel, Lake Tekapo and Wanaka.

So keep your fingers crossed

On the search for subt

Dear all

We had Rosemary Read and Barry Donovan from Plant and Food come down yesterday to put out a further 50 polysterene traps for subt to nest. So far we have put out 40 wooden boxes. Very few flowers are currently out a little bit of echium and a bit of lotus. Seen a great number of terrestius and ruderatus but no subt yet. We are still early for them. Terrestius have only just started to nest and have not yet begun collecting pollen. So at the moment we are searching potential field sites and getting ready for subt release!

Till next time...

Lake Tekapo and B. hortorum nest

bumblebees

Robert Jones, RSPB looking for bees

--
The Sunday Times Scottish University of the Year 2009/2010
The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland,
number SC 011159.

Lake Tekapo

--
The Sunday Times Scottish University of the Year 2009/2010
The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland,
number SC 011159.

Some of the bees we've seen

--
The Sunday Times Scottish University of the Year 2009/2010
The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland,
number SC 011159.

Hunt for subt

Dear all

Well we have arrived in New Zealand and have begun looking for subt! So far we don't think they have emerged yet. I have seen lots of the buff tail (Bombus terrestrius)and a few of the large garden bumblebee (Bombus ruderatus). Yesterday was our first field work day and we were very excited to see all colour forms of Bombus ruderatus! Here's some pictures of ruderatus and terrestrius foraging.

I had a meeting with plant and food institute on Thursday to discuss our methodology. They have already put some trap boxes out ready for any emerging subt looking for nesting sites. Here's some pics of Rosemary and Barry showing us B. hortorum nests just outside of their facility.

So today were in Lake Tekapo and tomorrow we head to Twizel for a few days. Twizel we think should be the best spot for collecting subt- we have quite a few field sites there and the prefect locations for subt. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Watch this space for more up and coming news on the hunt for subt

Till next time...........................
--
The Sunday Times Scottish University of the Year 2009/2010
The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland,
number SC 011159.